The ICC Champions Trophy, which has been in the buzz ever since the ICC made the decision to hand over the hosting rights to Pakistan for the 2025 edition, has now come to its final stages.
The Champions Trophy hosting rights have been passed onto the defending champions, Pakistan; however, India, under concerns over their bad diplomatic relations, has strictly prohibited their team from travelling to the neighbouring nation.
After much initial opposition and speculation, the ICC under new chairman Jay Shah made the decision to retain the hosting rights for Pakistan with a hybrid model for the Indian matches, which might be played in a neutral venue.
The PCB’s proposal will determine the neutral venue, which could be either Dubai or Colombo.
India is likely to be placed alongside Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Pakistan in Group A
India, just like the many remembered seasons in the Champions Trophy and the longest format of white ball cricket, has again been placed alongside arch-rivals Pakistan in the group, as their match will be the most dramatic encounter of the event.
India will also play the Black Caps again in the longer white-ball format against whom they won their first-ever ICC match in the CWC 2023 semi-finals.
ICC Champions Trophy [Tentative Match Schedule]
With every Indian match scheduled in neutral venues, the Champions Trophy is likely to be scheduled from the 19th of February, with the first match being between the host team, Pakistan, and New Zealand at Karachi.
While PCB has proposed Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi as the venues for the matches of all teams except India, the semifinals and finals shall also be played in neutral venues, considering India advances off to the knockout games.
